The only time that Leeds appears as the Hobgoblin (except for flashbacks) were Amazing Spider-Man #'s 284-288 (Gang War storyline), 289 (flashback of death..showing him in costume....did the Foreigner's men change him out of his goblin gear and into street clothes, or was this a retcon (of a couple of months) to fit Leeds as Hobby...that's always been my thought) and Power Pack #29.

Again, this is kind of retconned in the fact that in the above issues, Hobgoblin acts much differently than in other appearances...here, he is more irrational and given to emotional swings.

I think that editorial felt that these issues didn't gel with the rest of his story (and probably felt that the mystery of his identity was dragging on....I was only 13 at this time, but recall being told by comic store owners that the main reason customers were dropping the book was the tedious red herrings and out-right lies.)

I still think Hobgoblin is Spidey's best foe (Norman is a very close second), so no one will ever convince me that this was a boring and drawn out story....unlike this answer.

Jason

If you want a boring and drawn out Spiderman story that nearly killed the books and ticked off the fans that would be Clone Saga 2.

The mystery of the Hobgoblin was one of the better mysteries the book ever had.....until Stern left before outing him. That is when it got all screwed up until Stern could write Hobgoblin Lives.